Double door release

ABSTRACT

A cabinet comprises a cabinet frame having a first side and a second side, a pair of doors coupled to the frame on the first side, wherein one of the pair of doors includes a locking rod positioned along a portion of the length of the door, a latch coupled to the frame on the first side and positioned to receive the locking rod, an actuator positioned on the second side of the cabinet frame and coupled to the latch, and an access door, positioned on the second side of the cabinet frame, the access door restricting access to the actuator. Opening the access door allows activation of the actuator to release the locking rod.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/991,764, filed Nov. 18, 2004, and entitled DOUBLE DOORRELEASE, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a door securitymechanism, and more particularly to a lock and release mechanism for useon cabinets with double doors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic equipment cabinets are generally designed to receive a numberof electronic components arranged vertically in the cabinet, mounted onshelves, and/or to front and rear mounting rails. The electronicequipment may include, for example, printed circuit boards,communications equipment, computers, including computer servers, orother electronic components.

Generally, the electronic equipment cabinets have a front door thatallows access to the front side of the equipment. Such access allows theaddition or removal of equipment from the cabinet, or adjustment to theelectronic equipment, for example. Access to the equipment is alsoprovided through the back of the cabinet, typically by way of a pair ofdoors. Often, it is desirable to secure the equipment cabinets and torestrict access to the cabinets to protect the equipment housed insidefrom accidental or purposeful damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a cabinetcomprising a cabinet frame having a first side and a second side, a pairof doors coupled to the frame on the first side, wherein one of the pairof doors includes a locking rod positioned along a portion of the lengthof the door, and a latch coupled to the frame on the first side andpositioned to receive the locking rod, an access door, positioned on thesecond side of the cabinet frame, the access door restricting access toan actuator positioned on the second side of the cabinet frame andcoupled to the latch, wherein opening the access door allows activationof the actuator to release the locking rod.

Implementations of the invention may include one or more of thefollowing features. The release of the locking rod can release the pairof doors on the first side of the cabinet frame. The cabinet can includea security mechanism to secure the access door and limit access to theactuator. The security mechanism can include an electronic lock. Theactuator can include an activating lever and a cable, and wherein thecable is coupled to the activating lever and to the latch. The actuatorcan include a button and a rod, and wherein the rod is coupled to thebutton and to the latch. The latch can include a lever and a catch, andwherein when the actuator is in the first position the lever can be in alocking position and the catch restricts the locking rod, and whereinwhen the actuator is in the second position the lever can be in arelease position and the catch releases the locking rod. The cabinet caninclude a second locking rod and a second latch positioned on the one ofthe pair of doors, the second latch coupled to the frame on the firstside distally from the first latch and positioned to receive the secondlocking rod. The one of the pair of doors can comprise a handle. Thefirst locking rod and the second locking rod can be coupled to thehandle, such that movement of the handle causes corresponding movementof the first locking rod and the second locking rod. The cabinet cancomprise an electronic equipment cabinet or rack.

In general, in another aspect, the invention includes a cabinetcomprising a cabinet frame having a first side and a second side, atleast one door, coupled to the frame on the first side, the doorincluding a locking rod positioned along a portion of the length of thedoor, a latch, coupled to the frame on the first side and positioned toreceive the locking rod, and an actuator, coupled to the frame on thesecond side and coupled to the latch, wherein the latch secures thelocking rod when the actuator is in a first position, and wherein thelatch releases the locking rod when the actuator is in a secondposition.

Implementations of the invention may include one or more of thefollowing features. The cabinet can include an access door coupled tothe frame on the second side, the access door covering the position ofthe actuator. The access door can include a lock, and wherein unlockingthe access door allows access to the actuator. The actuator can includean activating lever and a cable. The cable can be coupled to theactivating lever and to the latch. The actuator can include a button anda rod. The rod can be coupled to the button and to the latch.

Implementations of the invention can include one or more of thefollowing features. The latch can include a lever and a catch. When theactuator is in the first position the lever can be in a locking positionand the catch restricts the locking rod. When the actuator is in thesecond position the lever can be in a release position and the catchreleases the locking rod. The cabinet can include a second locking rodand a second latch, the second latch coupled to the frame on the firstside distally from the first latch and positioned to receive the secondlocking rod. The door can comprise a handle, and wherein the firstlocking rod and the second locking rod are coupled to the handle, suchthat movement of the handle causes corresponding movement of the firstlocking rod and the second locking rod.

In general, in another aspect, the invention can include a securingmechanism for use on a cabinet. The mechanism comprises a first doorattached to a cabinet frame, a second door attached to the cabinet frameopposite the first door, the second door including a locking member, anactuator mounted to the cabinet frame and positioned in proximity to thefirst door, the actuator capable of moving from a first position to asecond position, means for restricting the locking member and lockingthe second door when the actuator is in the first position, and meansfor releasing the locking member and opening the second door when theactuator is in the second position.

Implementations of the invention can include one or more of thefollowing features. The locking member can include a first rod having ahook positioned on a distal end of the rod, and wherein the means forrestricting the locking member can accept the hook when the actuator isin the first position. The second door can include a second lockingmember, and wherein the means for receiving the locking member caninclude means for receiving the second locking member. The secondlocking member can include a second rod axially aligned with the firstlocking member, the second rod having a hook on a distal end of thesecond rod. The means for restricting the locking member can include afirst latch positioned to receive the hook and a second latch positionedto receive the second hook when the actuator is in the first position.The means for releasing the locking member can include a cable couplingthe actuator and the first latch.

In general, in another aspect, the invention includes a method ofcontrolling access to an equipment cabinet, the equipment cabinet havinga first side with double doors positioned on the first side, and asecond side with an access door positioned on the second side. Themethod comprises opening the access door positioned on the second sideof the equipment cabinet, and actuating a mechanism positioned on thesecond side of the cabinet in a position internal to the cabinet withrespect to the access door, the mechanism being accessible when theaccess door is open, wherein actuating the mechanism on the second sideof the cabinet releases the double doors positioned on the first side ofthe cabinet.

Implementations of the invention may include one or more of thefollowing features. The method can include locking the access door andallowing the opening of the access door by unlocking the access door.Releasing the double doors positioned on the first side of the cabinetcan comprise unlatching the double doors by actuating the mechanism.Unlatching the double doors can include unlatching the double doorssubstantially simultaneously by actuating the mechanism. The method canfurther include securing the double doors positioned on the first sideof the cabinet by restricting access to the mechanism.

Capabilities of the invention may include one or more of the following.A cabinet owner can limit access to a cabinet to a single point ofentry. A single lock can secure a number of entry points. Access todangerous equipment can be limited. Rear or side doors of a cabinet canbe released via the front door or a front portion of the cabinet. Doubledoors can be released by a single mechanism accessed remotely from thedouble doors. Other capabilities are within the scope of the invention.

The invention will be more fully understood after a review of thefollowing figures, detailed description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective structural view of a front portion of anequipment cabinet;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are perspective structural views of a rear portionof an equipment cabinet;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the interior side of a double door ofthe cabinet;

FIG. 4 is an upper latch bracket as used in the embodiment shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 5A represents a latch and bracket as used in the embodiments shownin FIG. 2;

FIG. 5B represents a portion of the latch of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C represents a latch bracket of the latch in FIG. 5A;

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a lower latch bracket in a first position and asecond position; and

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate an upper latch bracket in a first position and asecond position with the shell of the door removed to show the upperlocking rod inside the door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide a door lock and release mechanismfor use in a cabinet. Embodiments of the invention allow access througha set of doors of the cabinet when a locking mechanism located at ornear another access point is released. Embodiments of the invention caninclude a solid rod or cable that activates the release of the doubledoors of the cabinet. Further, embodiments of the invention can be usedfor cabinets other than electronic equipment racks. Still furtherembodiments of the invention are possible and envisioned.

Referring to FIG. 1, portions of a structural frame of an equipmentcabinet 10 are shown with some features removed for ease ofdemonstration. The equipment cabinet 10 is shown from a frontperspective view and includes a front door 14, a doorframe 16, a basebeam 18, plinths 19, and a skirt member 20. The front door 14 generallyincludes a mechanical or electronic lock that limits access to thecabinet (not shown). The doorframe 16 is attached to and supported bythe base beam 18, which extends across the width of the cabinet 10between the plinths 19. The skirt 20 is an L-shaped member having afirst flat length 21 and a second flat length 22 that is substantiallyperpendicular with respect to the first flat length. The skirt member 20is attached to the base beam 18 by the first flat length 21 and thesecond flat length 22 extends over the edge of the base beam 18 belowthe lower edge of the door 14. The skirt 20 includes an aperture 38positioned at or near the center of the skirt 20.

The equipment cabinet 10 as shown in FIG. 1 further includes an actuator30, an actuator rod 32 and an actuator bracket 34. The actuator iscoupled to the rod 32. The actuator bracket 34 is attached to the basebeam 18 at the bottom lip of the doorframe 16 and supports the actuator30 and the actuator rod 32. The actuator 30 can be a washer bolted tothe end of the rod 32. The bracket 34 can be bolted to the frame of thecabinet 10 or attached using other known means.

The position of the aperture 38 in the skirt 20 corresponds to theposition of the actuator 30 as connected to the beam 18. The aperture 38can, for example, be positioned over the position of the actuator 30.The aperture 38 allows access to the actuator 30 when the front door 14is open. The skirt 20 with the aperture 38 provides protection to theactuator 30. The actuator 30 can be positioned in other locations on theframe of the cabinet 10 inside of the door 14. The actuator 30 can beaccessed when the door 14 is opened, for example, when an authorizedindividual unlocks the door 14. The actuator 30 is used to release theback doors of the cabinet 10, as discussed below.

In FIG. 2A, the back of the equipment cabinet 10 is shown having a reardoor 50 in a closed position. A second rear door, which is positionedadjacent to the first rear door and pivots toward the rear door 50, isremoved for ease of demonstration. The rear doors lock as a pair, andare referred to as the rear door 50. The cabinet 10 also includes a baseframe member 54 and a doorframe 56. The door 50 includes a handle 52.The rod 32 runs from the front of the cabinet 10 to the back of thecabinet 10.

In FIGS. 2B and 2C, the rear door 50 is shown in the open position. Thecabinet 10 includes a rear skirt 58 having an aperture 60, a lower latchbracket 62, and an upper rod bracket 64. The rear door 50 includes alower locking rod 70, a spring 72, and a lower rod guide 74 partiallyvisible and mounted on the interior of the rear door 50. The rear door50 also includes an upper locking rod 80 (shown in FIG. 3), a secondspring 72, and an upper rod guide 74. The springs 72 can be helicalsprings 72 mounted on the rods 70, 80 to bias the rods 70, 80 such thatthe springs 72 are in tension when the door 50 is closed. Each of theupper locking rod 80 and the lower locking rod 70 includes a hook 90 onthe distal end of the respective rod. The hook 90 extends substantiallyperpendicularly to the length of the respective rod 70, 80, and in aparallel plane to the door 50. The springs 72 push the weight of therods 70, 80 in the door so that when the hooks 90 are released, the rods70, 80 are pushed up to clear the latches installed on the top andbottom of the cabinet. The springs are designed with enough force topush the weight of the rod linkage in the door so that when the trappedrods are released below, the rods will be pushed up to clear the hooksthat are installed on the top and bottom of the cabinet.

The base crossbar 54 supports the rear doorframe 56. The skirt 58 is anL-shaped member that attaches to the base crossbar 54 on its top surfaceand extends below the base crossbar 54 at a substantially 90-degreeangle with respect to the base crossbar 54. The lower latch bracket 62is attached to the bottom lip of the doorframe 56 at or near the centerof the doorframe 56. The upper locking rod bracket 64 is attached to thetop lip of the doorframe 56. The upper latch bracket can extend belowthe edge of the doorframe 56, or below other frame members positioned atthe top of the interior of the cabinet, such as a cable channel.

Referring to FIG. 3, the interior plane of the rear door 50 includes thelower locking rod 70 and the upper locking rod 80 mechanically connectedvia a handle bracket 86. The upper locking rod 80 and the lower lockingrod 70 are positioned on the interior surface of the rear door 50, alongthe length of the door 50. The upper rod 80 extends from the handlebracket 86 to the top of the door 50. The lower rod 70 extends from thehandle bracket 86 to and below the lower edge of the door 50. Both theupper rod and the lower rod are attached to the handle bracket 86. Theupper rod 80 and the lower rod 70 are bolted to the handle bracket 86,but can be attached by other known means of attachment. The upper rod 80and the lower rod 70 are substantially axially aligned, although therespective rods can be offset axially. The handle bracket 86 is coupledto the handle 52 on the front side of the rear door 50, opposite thelocking rods 70, 80. The handle 52 and handle bracket 86 are slidablyconnected to the door 50 such that the handle and the handle bracket canmove in the direction of arrow 87. Movement of the handle 52 causescorresponding movement of the handle bracket 86.

Referring to FIG. 4, the upper rod bracket 62 accepts the hook 90 of theupper locking rod 80 when the door 50 is closed. The upper rod bracket64 includes a planar base plate 102 and a latch hook 104. The base plate102 includes apertures 106 for accepting bolts that attach the upper rodbracket to the doorframe 56. The latch hook 104 extends from the baseplate 102 substantially perpendicularly away from the doorframe. Thelatch hook 104 receives the upper locking rod 80 when the rear door 50is closed.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, the lower latch bracket supports a latch 110.The latch 110 includes a body 112, a release lever 114, and a catch 116.The lower latch bracket 62 has a first plate 118 for attachment to thedoorframe 56, and a second plate 120 for supporting the latch body 112.The latch body 112 is attached to the second plate 120 of the bracket 62such that the latch body 112 is positioned below the doorframe andsubstantially perpendicular to the doorframe. The catch 116 extendsoutward from the plane of the doorframe 56 to allow receipt of the lowerlocking rod 70. The lever 114 is connected to the actuator rod 32, whichruns from the actuator 30 to the lever 114. The lever 114 ismechanically connected to the catch 116. The catch 116 receives thelower locking rod 70 when the rear door 50 is closed. The latch 110 canbe, for example, an Eberhard 240-R54 latch.

The lower locking rod 70 can achieve two positions. Referring to FIGS.6A and 6B, the position of the locking rod 70 can be in an engaged orreleased position with respect to the latch 110. FIG. 6A represents therear door 50 in a closed position (the door shell is removed forclarity). The hook 90 of the locking rod 70 is received in the apertureof the latch 110 and held below the catch 116. The catch 116 restrictsthe locking rod 70 from moving in an upward direction to allow the doorto open. To open the latch 110 and release the locking rod 70 andtherefore open the door 50, the actuator 30, positioned in the front ofthe cabinet 10, is activated. For example, the actuator 30 may bepressed such that it moves approximately ¼-inch in the y-axis direction.Alternatively, the actuator 30 can be pulled in the y-axis direction.The actuator moves the rod 32, causing the lever 114 to move in thedirection of the actuator 30. Movement of the lever 114 releases thecatch 116, as shown in FIG. 6B. With the catch released, the locking rod70 is released. The locking rod 70 pops up with respect to the catch dueto the bias of the springs 72, which tend to lift the lower locking rod70 when the locking rod 70 is unrestricted.

The upper locking rod 80 reacts to the motion of the actuator 30 and thelever 114. In FIG. 7A, the upper locking rod 80 is shown with the hook90 resting in the locking rod bracket 64, representing that the door 50is closed. The tension of the lower locking rod 70, when engaged in thelatch 110, provides a tension to the upper locking rod 80 keeping theupper locking rod in position in the latch 64. The reciprocal tensileforce is provided through the handle bracket 86, to which both lockingrods 70, 80 are connected. The latch hook 104 restricts the locking rod80 from motion. When the actuator 30 is activated, the lower locking rod70 is released and the upper locking rod 80 moves in an upward directionaway from the bracket 64, as shown in FIG. 7B. With both the lowerlocking rod 70 and the upper locking rod 80 released, the door 50 isfree to open.

To re-engage the locking rods 70, 80 and secure the rear door 50 in aclosed position, the door is closed and the handle 52 is pushed in adirection opposing the force of the springs on the door 50, e.g.,downward on the door 50. The motion of the handle 52 translates intomotion of the handle bracket. The handle bracket moves the locking rods70, 80. The upper locking rod 80 drops into position in the bracket 64with the downward motion of the handle 52. The lower locking rod 70 isreceived into the latch 110 and secured by the catch 116 with thedownward motion of the handle 52. The rear door 50 is secured.

Embodiments of the invention include a washer used as a button actuatorto push the rod to open the catch. Alternative embodiments can include alever actuator that is pushed or pulled to activate the rod to releasethe back doors. The rod connecting the actuator and the latch can be acable rather than a solid rod member. A cable or rod can be used torelease the double doors from any position accessible from the first, orfront, door. The upper locking rod and the lower locking rod can havealternative hooking mechanisms on their respective distal ends. Theactuator can be positioned in other locations on the frame of thecabinet. For example, the actuator can be positioned on a top portion ofthe front door frame, on a side frame member, or at any position alongthe bottom doorframe. The locking rods can be secured by pulling thedoor handle up to lock the rods into position, or from an alternativemotion of the handle, such as turning the handle to the left or right.Further, in embodiments of the invention, the cabinet includes a pair ofrear doors. The cabinet can include a single rear door. The rear door ordoors may include a single locking rod.

Having thus described at least one illustrative embodiment of theinvention, various alterations, modifications and improvements willreadily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations,modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope andspirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is byway of example only and is not intended as limiting. The invention'slimit is defined only in the following claims and the equivalentsthereto.

1. A cabinet comprising: a cabinet frame having a first side and asecond side; a pair of doors coupled to the frame on the first side,wherein one of the pair of doors includes a locking rod positioned alonga portion of the length of the door, the locking rod being movablebetween a locked position and a biased unlocked position, the pair ofdoors being movable between an open position and a closed position; alatch coupled to the frame on the first side and positioned to receivethe locking rod when the locking rod is in the locked position, thelatch being configured to selectively engage the locking rod to lock thepair of doors in the closed position; an actuator positioned on thesecond side of the cabinet frame and coupled to the latch, the actuatorbeing connected to a rod extending between the first side and the secondside of the cabinet frame, the rod being configured to move the latch torelease the latch from the locking rod so that the locking rod achievesthe biased unlocked position; and an access door, positioned on thesecond side of the cabinet frame, the access door being movable betweenan open position and a closed position in which the access door ispositioned to prevent access to the actuator.
 2. The cabinet of claim 1,wherein release of the locking rod releases the pair of doors on thefirst side of the cabinet frame.
 3. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein theactuator includes a button, and wherein the rod is coupled to the buttonand to the latch.
 4. The cabinet of claim 1, further comprising a secondlocking rod and a second latch positioned on the one of the pair ofdoors, the second latch coupled to the frame on the first side distallyfrom the first latch and positioned to receive the second locking rod.5. The cabinet of claim 4, wherein the one of the pair of doorscomprises a handle, and wherein the first locking rod and the secondlocking rod are coupled to the handle, such that movement of the handlecauses corresponding movement of the first locking rod and the secondlocking rod.
 6. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the cabinet comprises anelectronic equipment rack.
 7. A cabinet comprising: a cabinet framehaving a first side and a second side; at least one door, coupled to theframe on the first side, the door including a locking rod positionedalong a portion of the length of the door, the locking rod being movablebetween a locked position and a biased unlocked position, the door beingmovable between an open position and a closed position; a latch coupledto the frame on the first side and positioned to receive the locking rodwhen the locking rod is in the locked position, the latch beingconfigured to selectively engage the locking rod to lock the door in theclosed position; an actuator coupled to the frame on the second side andcoupled to the latch, the actuator being connected to a rod extendingbetween the first side and the second side of the cabinet frame, the rodbeing configured to move the latch to release the latch from the lockingrod so that the locking rod achieves the biased unlocked position,wherein the latch secures the locking rod when the actuator is in afirst position, and wherein the latch releases the locking rod when theactuator is in a second position; and an access door, positioned on thesecond side of the cabinet frame, the access door being movable betweenan open position and a closed position in which the access door ispositioned to prevent access to the actuator.
 8. The cabinet of claim 7,wherein the access door includes a lock, and wherein unlocking theaccess door allows access to the actuator.
 9. The cabinet of claim 7,wherein the actuator includes a button, and wherein the rod is coupledto the button and to the latch.
 10. The cabinet of claim 7, furthercomprising a second locking rod and a second latch, the second latchcoupled to the frame on the first side distally from the first latch andpositioned to receive the second locking rod.
 11. The cabinet of claim10, wherein the door comprises a handle, and wherein the first lockingrod and the second locking rod are coupled to the handle, such thatmovement of the handle causes corresponding movement of the firstlocking rod and the second locking rod.
 12. The cabinet of claim 7,wherein the cabinet comprises an electronic equipment rack.
 13. A methodof controlling access to an equipment cabinet, the equipment cabinethaving a first side with double doors positioned on the first side, anda second side with an access door positioned on the second side, themethod comprising: positioning the access door on the second side of theequipment cabinet, the access door being movable between an openposition and a closed position in which the access door prevents accessto a mechanism located on the second side of the cabinet in a locationinternal to the cabinet with respect to the access door, the mechanismbeing accessible when the access door is in the open position; providinga locking rod associated with one of the double doors that is movablebetween a locked position to lock one of the double doors and a biasedunlocked position; opening the access door; and actuating the mechanismto move a rod associated with the mechanism, the rod extending betweenthe first side and the second side of the cabinet frame; the movement ofthe rod releasing a latch associated with the mechanism from the lockingrod to release the locking rod so that it achieves the biased unlockedposition, wherein actuating the mechanism on the second side of thecabinet releases the double doors positioned on the first side of thecabinet.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising locking theaccess door and allowing the opening of the access door by unlocking theaccess door.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein releasing the doubledoors positioned on the first side of the cabinet comprises unlatchingthe double doors by actuating the mechanism.
 16. The method of claim 15wherein unlatching the double doors includes unlatching the double doorssubstantially simultaneously by actuating the mechanism.
 17. The methodof claim 13 further comprising securing the double doors positioned onthe first side of the cabinet by restricting access to the mechanism.